Chabot College
Fall 2008
Course Outline for Chinese 1A
BEGINNING CHINESE
Catalog Description:
1A – Beginning Chinese
5 units
Introduction to the Chinese cultures of the world featuring the study and practice of the four language
skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) of Mandarin Chinese. Strongly recommended:
eligibility for English 1A. 5 hours
[Typical contact hours: 87.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. compare and contrast Chinese and American cultural practices in relation to speech, social attitudes,
and values;
2. demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the culture of Chinese-speaking people, including
formative historical events and relevant geographical information;
3. demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of writing the simplified version of characters
as practiced in mainland China;
4. demonstrate proficiency in using the Hanyu pinyin phonetic system to spell and pronounce Chinese
words;
5. demonstrate an understanding of the four-tone system of Mandarin;
6. demonstrate the ability to comprehend a short conversation composed chiefly of the vocabulary
and grammar studied;
7. apply the sentence patterns and grammar structures presented in the course to create new
sentences in culturally appropriate ways both orally and in writing;
8. conduct a simple, culturally sensitive conversation in Mandarin on topics studied, using words
and expressions in structurally correct sentences;
9. write a coherent and culturally appropriate paragraph of fifty characters or more on a topic studied
and/or discussed in class;
10. make simple descriptions related to size, shape, and color orally and in writing
Course Content:
1. Introduction to the history and geography of Chinese-speaking countries and cities of the world
2. Social and cultural information necessary to be able to understand important differences between
Chinese and American cultural practices
3. Basic principles of writing simplified characters practiced on mainland China
4. Introduction to the Hanyu pinyin system of spelling and pronouncing Chinese characters
5. Fundamentals of Mandarin phonetics, including the four tones
6. Functional vocabulary, grammar, and writing to allow students to:
a. identify themselves in the target language (name, age, nationality, place of birth, profession
or occupation) orally and in writing
b. order food and drink in restaurants, buy food in shops and markets, read menus, and write
shopping lists
c. greet others, make introductions, take leave, thank, and write simple culturally appropriate
expressions of thanks
d. be able to express spatial relationships (far, near, right, left, etc.) orally and in writing
e. be able to ask for, read, understand, and write simple street directions
Chabot College
Course Outline for Chinese 1A, Page 2
Fall 2008
f. identify clock time, the date, and the weather, and be able to read and write them as well
g. count, understand, and write numbers
h. use vocabulary related to weights and measures orally and in writing
i. make descriptions related to size, shape, and color orally and in writing
7. Syntax and grammar that allow students to:
a. identify correct word order in a Chinese sentence
b. read, enunciate, and write simple descriptive sentences (Wo lei./Ta hen mang)
c. read, enunciate, and write ascriptive sentences using the verbs “shì” and “xíng “
d. read, enunciate, and write verbs-of-action to describe habit or action (Ta kàn bào./Wo bùhé chà.)
e. read, enunciate, and write verbs-of-existence (zhù, zài, zhùzài) to indicate location of subject
f. use adverbs of time in proper sentence position orally and in writing
g. combine verbs-of-motion and verbs-of-action to describe motion, destination, and purpose
(Wo qù shangdìan mai bi) orally and in writing
h. ask grammatically affirmative and negative questions orally and in writing
i. create sentences with “you” and its negative form “méiyou” to indicate possession or
existence and their negative equivalents orally and in writing
j. use the verb “zài” to indicate the location of an event orally and in writing
k. use the verb “gei” to indicate favor or offering orally and in writing
l. use expressions of quantity and measure orally and in writing
m. use “de” to indicate ownership, condition, or color orally and in writing
n. use the “co-verb” for the verb of motion “lái/qù” to describe movement orally and in writing
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture/discussion and question/answer in target language
Choral/individual repetition of model speech
Re-creation of dialogues and improvisation
Small group activities leading to skits, dialogues, etc.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical assignments
a. Demonstrate greeting skills in a skit taking place in an airport, train station, etc.
b. Write a brief paragraph that includes biographical information, such as nationality, place of
birth, birthday, and current residence
c. Practice writing the characters learned in a given class
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Tests, quizzes, and interviews to evaluate the four language skills and cultural sensitivity in
relation to material presented
b. Student participation in class activities
c. Graded homework assignments
d. Final exam
Typical Textbook(s):
Integrated Chinese, Tao-Chung Yao, 2nd edition, Boston: Chen & Tsui Company, 2005.
Special Student Materials:
None
curriculum 0708
dk 10/29/07